Based on a report
by Priscilla P. Mkhatshwa, a farmer from Vikizijula, Siphumelele Ngqwane, an Extension Officer in
Siphofaneni, Regional Development Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Tengetile
Mpila journalism student at the University of Swaziland, Dumsani Hlanze,
Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Trainee at the Lower Usuthu Sustainable Land
Management Project (LUSLMP), and Norman Mavuso, a Sustainable Agriculture
Coordinator at Swaziland Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (SWADE)

Makhundlu in Swaziland’s Lowveld region is often drought-stricken
with smallholder farmers dependent on external food aid. The low quality of the
land means growing crops can be tough and food security is extremely volatile.

In response, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of
Tinkhundla (Swazi term for traditional
leadership) and Regional Development worked together to design the Lower Usuthu
Sustainable Land Management Project (LUSLMP), also referred to as LUSIP-GEF.
The project is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and implemented by the
Ministry of Agriculture and the Swaziland Water and Agricultural Development
Enterprise.

In Makhundlu water is a very precious natural resource. The
closest supply is six kilometres away and only provides enough for domestic use,
so growing crops or tending to livestock
can be incredibly challenging.

The project targeted family farmers in the area who were
most affected by the lack of water (mostly women) and help improve their food
security. It provided the farmers with the tools and workshops necessary to
cultivate permaculture gardens and adopt rainwater harvesting methods.

Permaculture gardens involve incorporating wood ash and
manure into the soil when it is tilled. This improves the soil's ability to
retain water, increases its fertility and stops pest infestations. Then a 5-10
cm layer of mulch (dried grass or leaves) is applied which keeps moisture in
the soil, regulates soil temperature, suppresses weeds and reduces soil erosion
during the heavy rains.

After this a variety of seeds are planted from leaf and root
vegetables that are mixed together to reduce pests and diseases. The crops are
watered three times a week around the base of the stems to conserve as much
water as possible. Two weeks after planting a liquid fertiliser of water mixed
with manure is applied. Organic anti-pest sprays are used, made from
ingredients such as aloe and lemongrass.

The farmers learned about the principles of permaculture
from workshops and demonstrations. Of the 44 farmers that were trained, 41 went
on to start their own permaculture gardens which they organised in groups to
provide each other with support and advice.

The project provided each farmer with a starter pack of
mixed seeds to begin their permaculture. Project staff made frequent visits to
answer questions or provide any help the farmers might need. They also
organised farmer learning exchange visits where farmers shared experiences,
skills, challenges and solutions.

As well as the permaculture starter pack, the farmers were given training and materials to build their own rainwater harvesting tanks. This means that they have clean water which they can use to water their gardens.

The 41 farmers who participated in the project have
benefitted in many ways. They now have fresh vegetables free from synthetic
chemicals, fresh water and have created strong bonds in the community by
working together.

Farmers and their families now

consume fresh, healthy
vegetables

The
cost of vegetable production has decreased and the farmers no longer have to go
and fetch water from the borehole during the rainy season. However, there were
some initial challenges to the project. The first stage of a permaculture
garden is particularly labour intensive which the farmers found hard to accept.
Also during summer there is a lot of work in the maize fields so most farmers
prioritise their work on the fields and neglect their gardens.

However, overall the project managed to overcome these
issues. Agnes Mangwe, a farmer from Vikizijula in Makhundlu now has a
permaculture garden and sells lettuce from it to pay for her grand-children's
school fees.

“I advise farmers to start a permaculture garden so that in
five years’ time the poverty rate in the country might be decreased and there
will be no one struggling in the country,” said Mangwe. “ Farmers should move
from being dependent on food aid towards being self-reliant.”

Training women's groups in the construction of
ferro-concrete water harvesting tanks

Permaculture Garden

The key to this project's success was the willingness of the community to teach
each other and work as a team. Farmers told us they appreciated the continued
collaboration with the project staff, but were now able to make their own way.
This is what has made the project approachable and sustainable.

Since this initial training in 2011, more than 500
permaculture gardens and 700 rainwater harvesting tanks have been established
in the project area. A further 100
gardens have been constructed in the
peri-urban communities of Manzini and Mbabanes.
In addition the project has trained primary school teachers to introduce
Permaculture into the school curriculum and at national level to the National
Curriculum Centre.

1 Responses to Stories from Swaziland: New Gardens with Healthy Vegetables

Great work Swazi people. One way of dealing with a country's challenges is to take mutual responsibility. Also,Teamwork continues to be the ultimate solution to any challenge. This is a challenge I would like to also extend to my country Uganda. I am impressed en challenged.

About IFAD

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided grants and low-interest loans to programmes and projects that have reached several hundred million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency based in Rome – the UN’s food and agriculture hub.

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The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The designations employed and the presentation of material in this blog do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IFAD concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The designations “developed” and “developing” countries are intended for statistical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgement about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development process.